Abbytail: The Homecoming

Our Abbytail took us on a dramatic roller coaster ride this past week.  We are exhausted and completely worn out.  We are also hopeful, excited, and thankful to be home at last.  We brought our little girl home.

Abby has fought a battle with IMHA and so far, she has been able to put up a great fight.  We still have a long road ahead of us with her continued recovery.  Thankfully we took her to the best place possible for care, VCA Mission Animal Referral and Emergency Center (formerly Mission Medvet).  They have great doctors and technicians.  Abby received 24 hour care.  She went up and down battling this horrible disease, and there were 2 times I was expecting the worst.  Then I would wake up and go visit her and find out that she has rallied.  She has fought so hard, she has made herself better.


We will continue working hard to make sure she stays better.  It's possible that she could have a relapse.  We will never know what caused this to happen.  It was not a tick.  It is going to take 6 months or more for her to be completely off her medications.  Until then, we'll continue to baby our baby.  You haven't even seen spoiled yet.  ;-)


Throughout our horrible battle, we had awesome friends supporting us along the way.  Many of you sent emails or called.  Suzie & Kevin loaned us a car so we'd go eat and they watched Keystone when we needed.  Suzie reminded me to take a shower, which I hadn't even thought about doing but felt so much better once I had.  Ray & Becky gave Abby a tomato in hopes that she would eat.  They all came by to bolster our spirits. 


We stayed with Suzie & Kevin one night, then the rest of the time, we slept in our RV behind the facilities (where Keystone could stay close to us as well).  Abby's "jail cell" was only big enough for one of us to sit/lie down with her at a time.  The other one of us would sit with the cage door open and sit right at the door.  Abby wasn't exactly trying to escape.  We usually tag teamed it, so one of us would be with Stones while the other would be with Abby.

 
It was so nice to be able to stay with Abby until I wanted to call it a night (usually around midnight).  I woke up around 8am and would head back in for the latest news.  They had no problem that "Abby's mom" or "Abby's dad" was there to visit all the time.  I got used to being called "mom", because I was often the only visitor there (besides Todd, of course, aka "dad").  We took her outside for potty breaks*, and we held her water bowl for her, and hand fed her.  She ate for us--and it took some coaxing to get her appetite back.  I truly don't think she would have fought so hard, if she hadn't had us right there beside her to help her through this.  The vet said she really perked up when we were there.  Once I heard that, I was in for the long haul.  Clean clothes are overrated.

*I wish you could have seen Keystone the first time he saw Abby in the middle of all this turmoil.  He gave her a royal sniffing over and was literally enthusiastic to be in the presence of his leader again.  It was very cute.  I think it helped him to understand what was going on, when they shared a potty break.

 
Here is Abby in her luxury suite:

Sad puppy not feeling well

We have our leader of the pack back.  She isn't going to be real energetic or aggressive for awhile, but we'll take it.  Having her here just sleeping is good enough for me.  She'll gain her strength back over time.  Before you know it, she'll be the boss again.

Things I've learned this past week:  Hug the ones you love, furry or human.  I think the extra hug grandma gave Abby last time she saw her had magical powers.  Never ever take them for granted, because you don't know when you'll loose them.  And treasure every minute you have with family and friends. 

One more thing, never pass up a chance to share a belly rub.

Happy tired puppy in one of her usual spots at home in the middle of the hallway.
Did someone order a belly rub?